Question

How does -2x + x equal -x ?

Answer 1

Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

-2x + x could also be written as x - 2x, which is x(1 - 2), or -x.  Here we can rearrange the terms as we wish (commutative property).

Answer 2

Answer:

See below.

Step-by-step explanation:

$-2x+x=-x$

because we combine like terms. You will essentially ignore the x and just do -2 + 1, which is -1. So, the answer would be -1x which is simply just -x.

To see why we can combine like terms, use the distributive property. So we have:

$-2x+x$

This is the same thing as saying:

$=(-2)x+(1)x$

Factor out the x:

$=x(-2+1)$

Add:

$=x(-1)$

And simplify:

$=-1x\\=-x$